A hyphotetical what if question

Say somebody is willing to pay for your plane ticket with any airline you prefer.

Would you:

1) Pick the airline where your frequent flyer miles are. The airline isn’t too bad; it’s not at the bottom of the ratings list, but it’s nowhere near the top either.

or

2) Pick a different airline to experience the difference in service. This airline is one of the best in the world.
Frequent flyer points cannot be transfered from one airline program to another. There is a fair difference in the price, but your sponsor is willing to pay extra (but not willing enough to pay for a first class or business class seat).

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Nina doesn't aim to travel to every country in the world -- she just wants to travel to the places that means the most to her. She started traveling in 2006, and hopes to travel for as long as she can. Her travel blog, Just Wandering won the Best Travel Blog in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and in the 2011 Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards.

Hmm, interesting points. I wanted to go with airline 1 because I’d rack up more points since it’s a pretty long trip (7 hours or so). BUT comfort on the air is very important (not to mention entertainment!) so going with airline 2 is pretty tempting.

I’d definitely go for option number two, and especially with your propsensity to go around to see new places, I wouldn’t pick otherwise. An airline you’d never been on might even be a mini-vacation of sorts.

Is there a considerable difference in service between a 5-star and a 3-star airline in cattle class? 5-star airlines have a really impressive first class service, but do you think it’s the same with the economy class?

Hmmm. I would think a 5-star airline offers more for all classes, whether it’s coach, business, or 1st class. Lemme think: maybe they offer a croissant instead of cheap peanuts on an economy flight? Maybe even thicker/bigger blankets! Or a slightly bigger commode!

Well in that case, you’ll definitely pick airline 2 because it has individual screens in economy, whereas airline 1 doesn’t. Ihat’s it, I’m going for airline 2! Also, if I take airline 2, I can stop over in another country!

Nina doesn't aim to travel to every country in the world -- she just wants to travel to the places that means the most to her. She started traveling in 2006, and hopes to travel for as long as she can. Her travel blog, Just Wandering won the Best Travel Blog in the 2010 Philippine Blog Awards and in the 2011 Nuffnang Asia Pacific Blog Awards.